Prevalence of hypoglycemia among severe malaria children in a rural African population

To determine the prevalence of hypoglycemia in severe malaria children in a rural African community. Thirty two children who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were recruited for the study from two hospitals with intensive care facilities. Blood sugar levels of the patients were monitored serially at admission and then every 4 hours (after admission) for 24 hours using a glucometer; taking values <2.2 mmol/L as hypoglycemia. The children received intensive care according to WHO guidelines for severe malaria. Fifteen out of 32 children recruited (representing 46.9%) had hypoglycemia with about 60% under 5 years of age. The mean age of the children was (4.49±2.89) years. The pre-correction and average post correction blood glucose levels were (2.04±0.13) mmol/L and (3.18±0.23) mmol/L, respectively. The result has demonstrated that about 1 in 2 children with severe malaria may suffer from hypoglycemia in an African rural environment hence there is a need for at least three-point glucose estimation (at recruitment, 4 hours following correction and the end of the 24 hours).